Mother Sparrow’s Advice Ibong Maya

Child… Keep my prayer with you as you leave, That God will guide you in your noble quest; The fears that take root in the heart, Insist on taming and only to Him abandon. To foreign culture, give respect Bound by understanding so as not to hinder Proper assimilation and good camaraderie, The essence of a Filipino worker. Keep to your innate diligence and honesty, Prove knowledge with distinct excellence; Fight for what’s right with calmness, Open your heart and mind, be a friend. Stay away from temptations that come your way, Charm is poison, seduction is deceitful, Their bitter fruit will form a lump in your throat, And unexpectedly become a heavy load.

I will celebrate your victories, With your every defeat, find my hand open; You have to know that I am always here,

A ready respite for when you grow weary. Child, I am your loving Motherland Diligently awaiting your return; Our verdant fields remain wealthy, Together, we’ll cultivate it to prosperity.

Appendix

Seno Gumira Ajidarma (b.1958, USA) is an Indonesian author of short stories, essays, and movie scripts. He is also a known journalist, photographer, and lecturer. Ajidarma was

Biographies

awarded the Southeast Asian Writers Award (S.E.A. Write Award) in 1997. His past publications include Manusia Kamar (1988), Penembak Misterius (1993), Saksi Mata (1994), Dilarang Menyanyi di Kamar Mandi (1995), Sebuah Pertanyaan untuk Cinta (1996), and Iblis Tidak Pernah Mati (1999).

Jack Alvarez (b. 1983, the Philippines) is a writer and editor. He is also a member of Kataga, a group of young Filipino writers ded- icated to writing about marginalized people, and editor of Diaspora, an anthology of over 160 short stories written by overseas and local Filippino writers. His semi-autobiographical book, Ang Autobiografia Ng Ibang Lady Gaga (Autobiography Of The Other Lady Gaga), published in 2015, is a collection of dagli (similar to the traditional vignette) and narrative that binds together his confessions of life as an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in Saudi Ara- bia. Alvarez is also a fellow of various national writing workshops at the University of Santo Tomas (2008), Palihang Rogilio Sicat (2012), and University of the Phippines (2015).

Edmund Blunden (1896–1975, United King- dom) was an English poet, author, critic, and lifelong friend of Siegfried Sassoon. Educated at the Queen’s College in Oxford, Blunden was also a reviewer for English publications. He taught extensively in Japan and Hong Kong, particularly between 1953–64, where he was professor of English Literature at the University of Hong Kong. Blunden ended his career as Professor of Poetry at the University of Oxford. His book of poems, The Shepherd (1922), was awarded the Hawthornden Prize and he was honored with the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry in 1956. His other publications include Choice or Chance (1934), Shells by a Stream (1944), and A Hong Kong House (1962), his last major volume of poetry.

Carlos Sampayan Bulosan (1913—56, the Philippines) was an English-language Filipino novelist and poet who spent most of his life in the United States. Belosan moved to the United

States in 1930 to escape the economic depres- Indonesia Airways, she published a series of sion in the Philippines, an experience that

stories called Dua Dunia (Two Worlds). Dini formed the genesis of his semi-autobiograph-

also worked briefly as a radio announcer. Her ical novel America Is in the Heart (1946). Other

published work includes Keberangkatan (1977), publications by Bulosan include The Laughter

Padang Ilalang di Belakang Rumah (1979), of My Father (1944), Freedom from Want (1943),

and La Grande Borne (2007). She received the and The Cry and the Dedication (1995).

Southeast Asian Writers Award (S.E.A. Write Award) in 2003.

Linda Christanty (b.1970, Indonesia) is an author and journalist. Christanty’s writing has

Yuli Duryat (Indonesia) worked in Hong Kong been recognized by a number of prestigious

from 2007—14 and is a member of Forum awards, including the Khatulistiwa Literary

Lingkar Pena Hong Kong. Many of her short Award (Indonesia’s national literary award) in

stories, novelettes and articles have appeared in both 2004 and 2010 and the Southeast Asian

various media outlets both in Hong Kong and Writers Award (S.E.A Write Award) in 2013.

Indonesia. In 2013 one of her short stories was Her work includes Kuda Terbang Mario Pinto

selected to be in the top fi fteen at the LIPMI (2004), Rahasia Selma (2010), and Seekor Anjing

writing competition. Mati di Bala Murghab (2013). Hanna Fransisca (b. 1979, Indonesia) is an Sapardi Djoko Damono (b. 1940, Indonesia)

autodidact writer, having received a formal is a poet born in Surakarta, Central Java,

education only until junior high school. Before and is known for being a pioneer of lyrical

moving from Singkawang to Jarkarta, she poetry in Indonesia. Sarpardi has a worked in

learned how to express herself through writing various fields including radio broadcasting, the

by reading books and pieces on the Internet. theater, and as a professor for the literature

Her writing has been published by many mass department at the University of Indonesia.

media outlets such as Kompas, Suara Merdeka, He also established the Lontar Foundation, a

and Tempo. Most of her writing relates to her non-profit-organization that promotes Indone-

personal life, such as the melding of Indone- sian literature. Previous publications include

sian/Chinese culture and the routines of her DukaMu Abadi (1969), Mata Pisau (1974), and

everyday life at the market. Her first short story, Hujan Bulan Juni (1994). Sapardi was awarded

Darahku Tumpah di Kelenteng (Blood Spilled in the Southeast Asian Writers Award (S.E.A.

a Temple) was selected by the Jakarta Literary Write Award) in 1986 and in 1987, together

Festival in 2008. Past publications include with prominent Indonesian figures such as

Kolecer & hari Raya Hantu (2010), Benih Kayu Goenawan Mohamad, Subagio Sastrowardoyo,

Dewa Dapur (2012), Sulaiman Pergi ke Tanjung Umar Kayam, and John H. McGlynn.

Cina (2012), and a play, Kawan Tidur (2012). Arista Devi (b. 1981, Indonesia) currently works

Philip Himberg (b. 1953, United States) is the as a migrant worker—Buruh Migran Indonesia

producing artistic director of the Sundance (BMI) in Hong Kong. She has published poetry,

Institute Theatre Program, where he has short stories and opinion pieces in various Indo- created and overseen developmental theatre nesian print media. Arista is also a contributor

laboratories since 1997. Mr. Himberg’s to Voice of Migrants, an independent bulletin for

directing credits include the world premiere Indonesian migrant workers in Hong Kong. Her

concert of William Finn’s Songs of Innocence and past publications include Empat Musim Bauhinia

Experience at Williams College and Merkin Hall Ungu (2012), Lot & Purple Hole (2014), and 19

in New York. He directed the world premiere of Jurus Mabuk Penulis Sukstres (2014).

Terrence McNally’s Some Men at the Philadel- phia Theatre Company, and most recently,

NH. Dini (b.1936, Indonesia) is the pen name Reprise/LA’s revival of Flora, The Red Menace, of Nurhayati Srihardini Siti Nukatin who is

starring Eden Espinosa. For the Sundance an Indonesian novelist and feminist. In 1956,

Summer Theatre he directed Fiddler on the Roof, while working as a flight attendant for Garuda

Funny Girl, and Dear World. He is also an author, Funny Girl, and Dear World. He is also an author,

Umar Kayam (1932–2002, Indonesia) was a sociologist and writer. He graduated from the Faculty of Education at Gadjah Mada University in 1955, received an M.A. from the University of New York in 1963, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1965. In 1987, he was awarded the Southeast Asian Writers Award (S.E.A. Write Award). Past publications include Sri Sumarah (1975), Para Priyayi (1992), and Jalan Menikung/ Para Priyayi 2 (2002).

Eka Kurniawan (b. 1975, Indonesia) graduated from the faculty of Philosophy at Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta. He writes novels, short stories, as well as non-fiction pieces. His novels have been translated into English, Jap- anese, Malay, French, Italian, Dutch, German, and Korean. Past publications include Cantik Itu Luka (2011) and Lelaki Harimau (2004).

Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo (b. 1949, the Philip- pines) is a former journalist and now professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is coordinator for the Department of Hawaiian and Indo-Pacific languages and literature and for the Filipino and Philippine Literature Program. Past publications include Mga Liham ni Pinay (1990) and Balada ni Lola Amonita (2000). Mabanglo has also been honored with such awards as the National Book Award for Poetry in 1990 by the Manila Critics Circle and the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards.

Afrizal Malna (b. 1957, Indonesia) is an activist and writer of prose, poetry, and theater. Educated at the Driyakara College of Philosophy, his poems are predominantly an expression of material aspects in an urban existence. Taking images from daily life, Malna juxtaposes them to bring forth the noise and chaos of our existence today. He is fond of seeking connections among di ﬀerent objects in his poems, which he describes as “visual grammar of things”. Past publications include Novel yang Malas Mengisahkan Manusia (2003), Lubang dari Separuh Langit (2004), and Teman- Temanku dari Atap Bahasa (2008).

Indira Margareta (Indonesia) has had writing published frequently by Koran Berita Indonesia (Hong Kong) and Majalah Intai (Taiwan) as well as in anthologies such as Luka Tanah Priok (2010), Friend Never End (2011), Penjajah di Rumahku (2010), 30 Hari dalam Cinta Nya (2011), Miracle of Life and Mimpi Haw (2013). Indira has won awards from writing compe- titions such as Bilik Sastra Radio RRI Siaran Luar Negri in 2012 and the Sahabat Shelter writing competition in 2013.

Ibong Maya was a participant in a 1997 poetry-writing competition organized by the Overseas Filipino Press Club in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This competition became the impetus for a group of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to examine their relationships with their family and the nation-state, and an opportunity to make what was private public by shedding the typical OFWs stereotype, where it is perceived that foreign workers do not have much time for rest or creativity.

The material collected from the OFWs in this competition later became formed research for Dr Odine de Guzman and was published in From Saudi with Love: 100 Poems by OFWs (UP OVCRD, 2003).

Aiyu Nara (b. 1984, Indonesia) works as a migrant worker in Hong Kong and has been a member of the Indonesian Migrant Workers Union since 2013. She has been an active member of Teater Progresif Jaringan Buruh Migran Indonesia and Rumah Baca GEMAS (Gerakan Masyarakat Sadar Baca dan Sastra) since 2014, which was established by migrant workers to promote the importance of reading among the Indonesian community. Many of her essays and poems have been published in anthologies such as Gerbong 1 (with Forum Lingkar Pena Taiwan), Buku Puisi Dua Koma Tujuh edition 1 &

2, and Antologi Puisi GPRS (Gelanggang Penyair Rampai Sastra).

Susana Nisa is a pen name for Susanawati, an Indonesian migrant worker from Malang, East Java who has worked in Hong Kong since 2005. Some of her essay, opinion and feature writings were published in Hong Kong based Indone- sian media.

Terenia Puspita (b.1990, Indonesia) has been registered as a Buruh Migran Indonesia (BMI) in Hong Kong since 2012. She loves to spend her free time reading and writing. Currently, she is pursuing a degree in English literature through Universitas Terbuka (Open University).

Bienvenido N. Santos (1911 – 1996) was a Filipino-American fiction, poetry and nonfic- tion writer. He was born and raised in Tondo, Manila. He lived in the United States for many years where he is widely credited as a pioneer- ing Asian-American writer. His works include Brother My Brother (1960), Scent of Apples (1979), The Day the Dancers Came (1967, 1991).

Shih Shu-Ching (b. 1945, Taiwan) is one of the most influential cultural figures in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Her novels include The Barren Years, Passing by Loytsin, and Blush of Intoxication.

Epha Thea (b.1977, Indonesia) is registered as a Buruh Migran Indonesia (BMI) in Hong Kong. An avid reader since elementary school, her reading is o ften accompanied by writing in her diary. She has written routinely since her graduation from junior high school and always keeps her feelings in a diary. Her early writing includes Yes I Can and Kamu Bisa Euis. As of August 2015, Siti is a participant at the

A fterwork Reading Club in Hong Kong. Xu Lizhi (1990—2014, China) was a Chinese

poet and factory worker from Shenzhen, China. He worked for Foxconn, a Taiwanese multi- national electronics contract manufacturing company whose factories in China have been linked to several controversies about working conditions. Xu committed suicide in 2014 and gained fame posthumously when his friends published a collection of poems that he wrote.

America Is in the Heart: A Personal History by Carlos Bulosan, Chapter 23 and 24, excerpts from America Is in the Heart: A personal History, by Carlos Bulosan, New 2014 edition. p.174–

Index

180, ( Classics of Asian American Literature), published by University of Washington Press. Reprinted with permission from the publisher.

Quiet Library on the Edge of Victoria Park by Ayunara, is written by a participant of the

A fterwork Reading Club, Epha Thea, who joined A Room of Their Own, a project by KUNCI with Para Site, Hong Kong.

Light for My Pen by Indira Margareta was published in Miracle of Life: Sandiwara Upik Abu, Diandra Creative, Yogyakarta: 2012.

Instincts that Give Foundation for Creations by N.H. Dini, is taken from Proses Kreatif: Mengapa dan Bagaimana Saya Mengarang by S. Takdir Alisjahbana … [et al.], Pamusuk Eneste (editor), published by Gramedia, Jakarta (1982).

Sarman by Seno Gumira Ajidarma was published in a collection of short stories by Seno Gumira Ajidarma Penembak Misterius, PT Pus- taka Utama Grafiti, Jakarta (1993).

Violet Testimony by Arista Devi was taken from Empat Musim Bauhinia Ungu by Arista Devi and published by Leutika Nouvalitera, Yogyakarta, 2013.

All poems by Xu Lizhi are taken from the Nao blog. I Have to Go Home this Lebaran by Umar Kayam

is part of Lebaran di Karet, di Karet…, a collection of short stories by Umar Kayam which was published by Penerbit Buku Kompas in 2002.

The short stories about Balikbayan Box by Jack Alvarez are a part of the incoming sequel of Ang Autobiografia Ng Ibang Lady Gaga.

The Greenhouse Show by Terenia Puspita is written by a participant of the A fterwork Reading Club, Terenia Puspita, who joined A Room of Their Own, a project by KUNCI with Para Site, Hong Kong.

City of the Queen by Shi Shu-Ching, Chapter An excerpt from Sleeping Partner by Hanna 1, is an excerpt from City of the Queen: a novel

Fransisca is taken from a play by Hanna of colonial Hong Kong, by Shih Shu-ching,

Fransisca, Kawan Tidur, published by translated from Chinese by Sylvia Li-chun

Paper Dolls by Philip Himberg is an excerpt permission of the publisher.

adapted from the documentary film by Tomer Heymann. p.80–82.

The series of A Letter of the Filipina are selected from Mga Liham ni Pinay by Elynia

God, I’ve Come Home by Susana Nisa is written S. Mabanglo, published by De La Salle

by a participant of the A fterwork Reading University Press (1990). Reprinted with

Club, who joined A Room of Their Own, a permission from the publisher.

project by KUNCI with Para Site, Hong Kong. A Cup of Chicken’s Feet Soup by Yuli Duryat is a

To Saudi with Love: 100 Poems by OFWs - short story that resulted from a writing com-

Mother Sparrow’s Advice, p. 31, 2003, is edited petition held by LiPMI (Liga Pekerja Migran

by Odine de Guzman, published by the Uni- Indonesia), or the League of Indonesian

versity of the Philippines, O ﬃce of the Vice Migrant Workers, in 2013

Chancellor for Research and Development. Kitchen Curse by Eka Kurniawan was pub-

lished in a collection of short studies by Eka Kurniawan, Cinta Tak Ada Mati dan Cerita-cerita Lainnya (2005).

The Tragedy of the Soy Sauce Finger by Epha Thea is written by a participant of the

A fterwork Reading Club, who joined A Room of Their Own, a project by KUNCI with Para Site, Hong Kong.

Layout by Sapardi Djoko Damono was included in a collection of short stories by Sapardi Djoko Damono, Pengarang Telah Mati, published by IndonesiaTera, Magelang, 2001.

A Dog Died in Bala Murghab by Linda Christanty was first published in Koran Tempo, 18 July 2010.

Xezok ker lubigjob kurlesok by Afrizal Malna was taken from Afrizal Malna’s book, Berlin Proposal, published by Nuansa Cendekia, Bandung, 2015.

Scent of Apples by Bienvenido N. Santos was published on March 28 th, 1997 by New Day Publishers (co-published by the University of Washington Press), p12–15 chapter Immigra- tion Blues.

Babasahin Matapos ang Trabaho

Mga Liham ni Pinay Mula sa Singapore Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo

Sugatan ang ngiti ko nang lisanin kayo, Malagim ang kahapon at malabo ang bukas Ngunit kailangang ipakipagsapalaran Kahit ang mga payak ninyong halik at yakap. Malinaw na malinaw sa pananda Ang paglalim ng pileges sa noo ni Ama, Ang namintanang luha sa mata ni Ina, Ikinubli lamang ng mga pisil sa palad At niligis ng wala-nang-bangong bulaklak. Bumubuntot ang mga bilin at tawag Sa papalayong hakbang ng panganay na anak.

Umalis akong may dawag ng takot Hatid ng dalita’t walang pangalang pagod. Lumulusot ang kirot sa nakabihis na tapang Ngunit kailangang makawala sa gapos ng utang.

Umalis akong may udyok ng pangarap Makauwi sa galak, maahon sa hirap, Bugnot na palibhasa sa galunggong at kanin At palad na meryendang kamote’t saging. Pangarap ko ring maging maybahay Ng isang ginoong guwapo’t ginagalang, Maligo sa pabango kung Sabado’t Linggo At mamasyal sa parke nang walang agam-agam.

Lumipad nga ako’t dito nasadlak, Nagsusulsi ngayon ng sunog na pakpak. Sa among banyaga pagkatao’y itinakwil Ipinahamig na ganap sa madlang hilahil. Nakaniig ko rin ang tunay na hirap Sa isang gusaling may dalawampung palapag. Utusan, yaya, kusinera’t labandera

Sakop kong trabaho’y lahat-lahat na. Labing-anim na oras na walang tawad Ang kayod ko rito sa maghapong singkad, Kaninong mata ang di mababasag? Kaninong dila ang di magliliyab? Mabuti nga’t may nalabing panahon sa pagtulog Sa altar ng pangarap, may maidudulog.

Mabuti na ito, kayo rin ang may sabi, Magpaalila man ako’y may maisusubi.

Inilalakip ko rito ang kaunting halaga, Pag-initin agad sa pagas na bulsa. Kalimutan muna ang nasang sinimpan Pag-asuhing madali ang palayok at kalan. Samantala’y ipagdasal nang taos at taimtim, Matagalan ko ang hirap at saklot ng panimdim; Tumibay akong kasabay ng siyudad Bago mamanhid ang isip at puso’y tumigas.

Mga Liham ni Pinay Mula sa Brunei Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo

Ako’y guro, asawa at ina. Isang babae — pupol ng pabango, pulbos at seda, Kaulayaw ng batya, kaldero at kama. Napagod yata ako’t nanghinawa, Nagsikap mangibang-lupa.

Iyo’t iyon din ang lalaking umuupo sa kabisera, Nagbabasa ng diyaryo uma-umaga. Naghihintay siya ng kape At naninigarilyo, Habang kagkag ako sa pagitan ng kuna at libro, Nagpapahid ng lipstick at nagpapatulo ng gripo. Hindi siya nag-aangat ng mukha Umaaso man ang kawali o umiingit ang bata. Hinahatdan ko siya ng brief at tuwalya sa banyo, Inaaliw kung mainit ang ulo. Wala siyang paliwanag Kung bakit hindi siya umuwi magdamag, Ngunit kunot na kunot ang kanyang noo Kapag umaalis ako ng Linggo. Ayaw niya ng galunggong at saluyot Kahit pipis ang sobreng inabot, Ibig pa yatang maghimala ako ng ulam Kahit ang pangrenta’y laging kulang.

Ako’y guro, asawa at ina. Isang babae — napapagal sa pagiging babae. Itinakada ng kabahaging Masumpa sa walis, labada’t oyayi Kahit may propesyo’t kumikita ng salapi. Iyo’t iyong din ang ruta ng araw-araw— Kabagutang nakalatag sa kahabaan Ng bahay at paaralan,

Ng kusina’t higaan. May Karapatan ba akong magmukmok?

Saan ako tatakbo kung ako’y malungkot? May beerhouse at massage parlor na tambayan Ang kabiyak kong nan-aasam, Nasa bintana ako’t naghihintay. Nagbabaga ang katawan ko sa paghahanap, May Kurs ang dila ko’t di makapangusap. Humihingi ng tinapay ang mga anak ko, Itinotodo ko ang bolyum ng radyo. Napagod yata ako’t nanghinawa, Nagsikap mangibang-lupa.

Noon ako nanaginip na nakapantalon, Nagpapadala ng dolyar at pasalubong. Nakahihinga na ako ngayon nang maluwag, Walang susi ang bibig, ang isip ay bukas. Aaminin kong ako’y nangungulila Ngunit sariling kape ko na ang tinitimpla. Nag-aabang ako ng sulat sa tarangkaha’t pinto. Sa telepono’y nabubusog ang puso. Umiiyak ako noong una, Nagagamot pala ang lahat sa pagbabasa.

Ito lamang ang sagot, Bayaang lalaki ang maglabab ng kumot.

Mga Liham ni Pinay Mula sa Hong Kong Ruth Elynia S. Mabanglo

Sa lunting pangarap nagmula ang lahat, Binaligtad ang bulsa’t nilikom ang danas.

Sa nagtangkarang gusali’t karatula’y sumilong, Itlog ng tagak ang ibig matunton.

Amo kong Intsik kunwa’y mabait, Ginagahasa ako kung gabing tahimik —

Mother Sparrow’s Advice Ibong Maya